In a fresh controversy surrounding Cuba's participation in the VI World Baseball Classic, the regime's tight grip on its athletes extends even beyond the island's borders.
The Facebook page, Pelota Cubana, reported that "all press covering the Cuban team's practice was removed from the stadium" during a training session in the United States.
According to the page, journalists attempted to interview the players but were intercepted by delegation officials. "We were kicked out for trying to speak with the players. They told us that we had to submit questions for approval before the players could answer them," the report stated.
When the reporters pointed out that "this isn't Cuba, players decide to speak or not, but can't control the questions," they were promptly expelled from the stadium. The complaint concluded that they were "removed for doing our job — interviewing the players."
This incident highlights the restrictive media management surrounding Cuban athletes in international events, where political controversy often overshadows sports performance.
Political Tensions and Sports
For some, these teams are official representatives of the regime, whereas others believe athletes should not be judged by political decisions and that sports should remain free of ideological disputes.
The Cuban team arrived in the U.S. on Sunday, after traveling in two groups, according to the official portal JIT. They landed in Phoenix, Arizona, to train before heading to Puerto Rico for the tournament's first round.
Visa Controversy and Accusations
The team's arrival was marked by a separate controversy. The INDER released a statement condemning what it labeled as "discriminatory" treatment by the U.S. government, following the denial of visas to eight delegation members. The agency described it as "an act of aggression against our people and national sport," claiming the decision impacted essential team functions.
None of the visa denials affected the players; they were all directed at other delegation officials. When Cuban sports teams travel abroad, they are often accompanied by INDER officials and regime representatives, whose roles are not sports-related. These officials use the trips for shopping and leisure activities while keeping a close eye on athletes to prevent defections, a well-known pattern in Cuban sports for decades.
Despite this, the official narrative insisted that the situation was "politically motivated" and could hinder the team's performance.
Cuba's Challenge in the VI World Baseball Classic
The Cuban team will compete in Group A, set to take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico, alongside Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, and Colombia. Analysts have described this group as one of the tournament's most challenging due to the competitive level of its participants.
The quarterfinals are scheduled in Houston and Miami, with the semifinals and finals to be hosted at LoanDepot Park in Miami.
Amidst this high-stakes sporting environment, the incident with the press adds another chapter to the ongoing tensions surrounding Cuban baseball on the international stage. Beyond the field, the discussion returns to the institutional control over players and the persistent overlap between sports competition and political discourse that follows the national team in every international event.
Impact of Political Control on Cuban Sports
Why were journalists removed from the stadium during Cuba's training session?
Journalists attempting to interview players were expelled from the stadium because delegation officials insisted on pre-approving questions before allowing players to respond.
What was the controversy surrounding visa denials to the Cuban delegation?
Eight members of the Cuban delegation were denied U.S. visas, prompting the INDER to accuse the U.S. government of discrimination and claim that it was an act of aggression affecting the team's functioning.